Matrix distributor for typographical machines



June 29 1926.

H. R. FREUND MATRIX DISTRIBUTOR FOR TYPOGRAHICAL MACHINES Filed Augusi;l8, 1924 Patented June 29, 1926.

` UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicEQv HERMAN R. FREUND, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK,ASSIGNOR T0 INTERTYPE CORPORA- TION, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ACORPORATION 0]? NEW YORK.

MATRIX DISTRIBUTOR FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINES;

Application filed August 8, 1924. Serial No. L280,898.

The present invention relates to improvements in typographical machinesand more particularly to those of the class wherein two or moremagazines containing respectively,7 diiierent fonts of matrices areused, and in which distribution of the matrices to the differentmagazines may take place concurrently from a single distributing bar.

The primary object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedmeans whereby mixed matrices or matrices belonging to diii'erent fontsmay be distinguished, sepa rated and directed to the appropriate chan#nels of their respective magazines with speed, facility and certainty.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvementsand combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will 4be hereinaftermore fully described, the t'ea-y l applicable to typographical machinesof the tures of novelty being pointed out particularly in the claims atthe end of the specification. f

In the accompanying drawingsz Y Figure 1 is a perspective view, partlyin section, illustrating a portionof the matrix distributing means of atypographical ma chine embodying matrix distinguishing and separatingmeans constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.l I

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section, taken substantially on the line 22, Fig. 1, looking in the ldirection of the arrow, showing the means bywhich matrices are directed to properly engage the separating means.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a section of the separating rails,showing the method of constructing them.-

Figure 4 is a perspective view'of a standard formV of matrix containinga single straight vertical groove through the side l Asuperposed anddownwardly inclined ma.-

wall thereof.

Figure 5 is a perspective of a standard form of matrix having a curvedgroove in the side wall thereof.

Figure 6 is a sectional view showing diagrammatically the manner inwhich matrices having a curved groove therein are engaged and withdrawnby the separating rails from the `Adelivery throat and directed into athroatV leadingl to the upper maga-V zine.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing diagrammatically themarmer in which matrices having a straight or vertical groove y aredistinguished and separated by the separating rails romrthose having acurved groove and are directed into a throat which leads to the lowerlmagazine. i

Figure 8 is a perspective view of'a matrix whichis 'of standard form buthas its directing ears or lugs set in from its sideI walls.

y'Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in theseveral views.

y Thepresent invention is applicable generally to typographical machinesof the kinds employing y circulating matrices vwhich are stored inmagazines to be delivered therefrom for `assembly in aline preparatoryto the making of a cast therefrom, after whichthe, matrices are returnedto the magazines lthrough distributing mechanism. The invention,however, is more vparticularly well-known linotype class, and moreespecially to machines of that cla-ss which are constructed to contalntwo or more maga- .zinesV for matrices `belonging to different.

fonts, and which employ a single distributor bar for the delivery oit'the-mixed matrices stricted to the precise construction shown asequivalent constructions are contemplated, andsuch will be' includedwithin the scope of the claims.

In the present instance 1 and 2 represent the upper ends ot the upperand lower trix magazines.l These magazines are adapted to containrespectively matrices belonging etl to be understood that theinventionis not rel to differ-ent fonts, and the matrices may bedelivered fromthe low-er or forward ends of these magazines, asrequired, by actuation of the vusual escapement and keyboard lmechanism,such y as is generally used'vfor such purposes 1n machines of thisgeneralclass. The top and bottom pl'a-tesvofveach magazine may begrooved, as shown, toereceive the lugs or ears of the matrices, thus lesproviding separate channels which receive 1 and guide the matricesvduring their entry 14,

and descent through the magazines. The usual distributor bar 3 employedfor distributing matrices belonging to the different magazines may be ofthe kind usually employed 'in machines of this particular type,

it being located, -as .usual, `above and to the rear of the upper rearmatrix receiving ends of the magazines.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide means fordistinguishing and separating matrices belonging to different fonts. Forthis `purpose Iy have provided in the side wallsl of the matrices,distinguishing grooves, these distinguishing grooves in matricesbelonging to different Vfonts being different, but such grooves are the4same Yfor matrices belonging to `the same font. For example, in Figurel the matrix m is provided with a straight or ver- Xtical Jgroove m4 inone of its side walls, such groove leading from the top to the bottomofthe matrix; and in Figure 5 the kmatrix m1 is provided with a curvedor `arcuate groove m5 in one of its side walls, the Vupper and lowerVends of this curved groove corresponding vin position and relation withthe groove m4 in the matrix containing the straight or vvertical groove,as Shown in Figure t.

In 'Figur-e 8 I Vhave shown a matrix m2 which has, in recent years, comeinto common use in which vthe-guiding ears or lugs m10 are offset fromeach of the flat sides of the body of the matrix, and this form ofmatrix is shown `provided with a circular groove mG in one of its sidewalls which corresponds with the curved .groove m5 in the matrix m shownin Figure 5, but it is to be understood that other fonts containingmatrices of this particular form may contain a straight groove like :thegroove m4 in the matrix m, Figure 4, .for separation ,and distributionthereof to another magazine.

Referring now to Figure l, the standard distributor bar 3 together withthe screws 4 are'show'n, serving to conduct the matrices for delivery tothe separating channels of the magazines by the combinations of Yteeth.in the upper ends of the matrices asshown, in conjunction with thepermuted ribs on the distributor bar.l As such distribution iis-of theusual form a Vdetail o'f-its operation is not necessary herein.

As the matrices are delivered from the distributor bar, they pass intothe upper end -o'f the throat 5 of what has Ybeen generally termed thechannel entrance 6 of a line casting machine, whereby and through whichthey are diverted from their vertical `delivery into an oblique path fordelivery to the downwardly and forwardly inclined magazines.

According to the present invention, this channel entrance is extendedand utilized for a separating means in the following manner Y Is/Vhenthe matrix m (Fig. 4l) is delivered from the distributor bar 3 it passesdirectly into the upper end of -the throat 5 of the channel entrance 6,the channel entrance being rating plates l the matrices in verticalposition for delivery to the magazines, it being understood that thereare a series of these Yplates of a like character to provides-for thedelivery of an entire font of matrices. As each matrix m is deliveredinto the throat 5 it immediately comes into contact with the directingrails .8 which the falling matrix engages by the ears or 'lugs on itscorners and is guided thereafter entirely by its ears or lugs.

It may be noted in Figure 2 that the upper ends of the rails 8 arebevelled to provide dared openings at the entrances of the channelsformed between them in order that the lugs or ears of the matrices mayreadily enter the channels and thus bring the respective matrices underthe controlof the rails 8. It is also to be noted that these rails 8projectfrom the opposite sides ofthe channel entrance in order that amatrix having the lugs or ears arranged as shown 'in Figure 8 may beaccommodated in the regular operation of distribution. In other words,it is immaterial whether the lugs or ears of the matrices are flush witheither-or both sides of the matrices, yas in Figures 4t and V5, orwhether the lugs orears are oiset provid-ed withthe usual sepa-.appropriately spaced to keep f inwardly from the sides of the body, as`'in 1 Figure 8, as the means for preparing the matrices to meet theseparating means, hereinafter described, are present in yeach .chan-Vtionedr in the throat 5 to meet `the matrices as they vpass along 'therails 8 from the distributor bar 3. A section of the font separator 1sshown in Figure 3, but it is to be understood that although this sectionis only f shown with three openings, the bar iis of suicient length tocorrespond with the number of distributing points on the distributor barand the number of channels in each magazine and it is fitted into anopening inthe front of the channelentranceso that it forms substantiallyra part of the front wall thereof. The separator is provided with aseries of rails l0 which project into the respective channels of thechannel entrance and are curved or arcuate-*in conformity with thecurved grooves m5 and m ofthe matrices m or m2. Each railv 10 isprovided with an opening 11, these openings being arranged uniformlythroughout the separator and substantially tangentially of therespective rails for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. Eachof theV rails 10 below the opening 11 is slightly pointed, as at 12, forpurposes which will also be described later.

As the matrices m are directed, as Cle-- scribed, to the throat 5 andare guided under the control of their guiding lugs along and between therails 8 they meet the separator at the top 10a ofthe respectiveseparating rails. This point of contact of each separating `rail is sopositioned in the respectivema'trix channel of 'the channeljentrancethat the matrices which are fully under control in each direction inltheir chann nels of the rails 8 will properly present the grooves intheir side wallto the point 10a of the respective separating rails.,Assuming, for example, as in Figure 6, that'the matrix fm has passedthrough the channels between the rails 8, and that the groove in thematrix has come in contact with the point 102L of the separating rail,it is shown therein that the tendency of the matrix is to follow thecurved rail 10,' the matrix bridging or passing the opening 11 to thelower section of the rail 10. The upper end of the lower section of therail 10 adjacent to the opening 11 is tapered to catch and direct thismatrix so that it will follow the curved rail 10 throughout itsdistance'which leads the matrix for delivery to the upper magazine 1.

If, however, the matrix delivered from the distributor bar D had beenone like the matrix m (Figure 4.) in which the groove in its side wasvertical, such matrix when coming in contact with the separator 9 at thepoint 10a, as shown in Figure 7, would have passed directly throughv theopening 11 on the rail 10 into the lower section of the throat 4 andthus be led into the lower magazine 2.

The invention enables matrices belonging to different fonts to beydistributed to the appropriate channels of their respective magazinesfrom a single distributor bar with the same speed, facility andcertainty as has been the practice in machines where only the usual orstan-dard matrices are used. The matrix separating lmeans which receivesthe matrices belonging to the different fonts from the distributor bar,automatically distinguishes and separates the matrices and then directsthem into their appropriate magazines. The structure may be readilyapplied to typographical machines, and especially to those of thelinotype class, as it may be accommodated within the channel entrancethrough which the matrices pass from the distributor bar to themagazines.

I claim as my invention 1. In a typographical machine having twomagazines each containing a font of matrices` the matrices of one fonthaving a curved distinguishing groove in a iiat side Vof the' bodythereof and the matrices 'of the y other font having a straight,v groovein' the flat side of the body thereof, the openings of thedistinguishing grooves inthe matrices of the different fonts heiligl inthe same relamatrices from the distributor. to-the magazines; a vmatrixseparating lrail embodying means for so cooperating with the matrices asto guide those having curved grooves in one direction and those havingstraight grooves in another direction.v

y `2. In a 'typographical machine having two magazines each to containya font of matrices, a distributor to deliver matrices to the upper endof eachA of the magazines, guides within each channel of the channelentrance,directing means within the channels to assume controlfof thefalling matrices by their lugs or ears and to direct the flight of thematrices, and a separator to which the matrices are directedand which isarranged to engage in a curved distinguishing recess in the flat side ofmatrices of one font and to deliver such matrices to an upper magazineand having a cut-away portion ary paths, and a matrix separatorembodying' rails arranged to enter the grooves in the sides of thematrices of different fonts and having cut-away portions p intermediatetheir length, said rails being curved to engage the curved grooves inthe matrices of 'one font and thus direct such matrices along the railsto one magazine, and causing the matrices having the straight groovestherein iOO llO

to disengage from the rails through the cutaway portions thereon fordelivery to another magazine. y

1. In a typographical machine having a plurality of relativelysuperposed magazines one to contain a font vof matrices each having acurved groove ina side thereof and yanother to contain a font ofmatrices each ywhich extend into the paths of the matrices and arearranged to engage in the grooves `in the sides thereof'7 said railsbeing curved to conform substantially'with the curved grooves of certainof the matrices and having each a cut-away portion to permitdisengagement therefrom of the matrices having the `straight grooves.

5. In a l'typographical machine having a plurality 0f relativelysuperposed magazines one to contain a `font of matrices each having acurved groove in aside thereof and another to contain a lfont ofmatrices each having a straight groove in aside thereof; a channelentrance 'to receive such matrices and having guides for directing thematrices, and a matrix separator embodying rails Whichextend into thepaths of .the matrices and are arranged to engage in the grooves in thesides thereof, said rails beingourved y to conform substantially With'the curved grooves of certain matrices and operative to support -suchmatrices and direct them finto one of the magaznes,.and each rail havinga portion cut awayV on the line of a chord to cause matrices having astraight groove lengths thereof. A 1

.6. In a typographical machine embodying a single distributorand .tvvo.magazines each containing a zfont of vmatrices, the matricesbelonging'to one font having a .curved groove therein iand the matricesbelonging to the yother font having a straight L.groove therein, meansincluding a .curved vrail cut away on the line of achord interposedbetween the distributor .and thev magazines .whereby matrices having aicurved groove Will follow said rail .and thus -be directed to thas bedirectedY to another fmagazine. n

lntestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

vHERMAN R. FREUND.

Vto pass the railS Without traversing the

